Palmleaves Beach Resort

The atmosphere is exceptionally warm and welcoming, with a real family feel. This place is particularly well suited to solo travellers, who feel welcome and well looked after from the outset. The hotel is small enough to make it easy to strike up conversations with other guests, so you never feel alone. The rooms are clean, cosy and furnished with great attention to detail. I really liked the atmosphere throughout the hotel, with its beautifully landscaped garden and beach area.

The service and friendliness were excellent throughout, from the hotel manager, Mr Matthew, and Diana at reception to the kitchen and restaurant staff, room service, maintenance and the Ayurveda team.

The excellent medical care from Dr Honey deserves a special mention. The diagnoses were precise, and the consultations were extremely knowledgeable, sensitive and helpful. In my case, the conversations were even life-changing. The treatments provided by the therapists were exceptionally good and comprehensive. Absolutely top-class. The massages (including oil massage, rice bolus and milk “bath”) were intensive and tailored to “weak spots and problem areas”. The head treatments, Shirodhara, Shirovasti and others, were a dream too. Very good oils were used, and the medicines were well chosen and effective. I also took the medicines provided home to Germany at a reasonable price. Blood tests are also available on request at reasonable prices (for example, vitamin D levels).

A varied vegetarian Indian Ayurvedic menu, complemented at least once a week by freshly caught fish and chicken. A very good selection of vegetables, with fresh fruit and salad always available. The meal served on a banana leaf at the restaurant right by the sea deserves a special mention. Fresh coconut and coconut water were available daily. There were also freshly squeezed juices, chai and, of course, hot water.

I preferred swimming in the sea, but also used the pool. There are sun loungers around the pool and right on the beach, always beneath the palm trees. There’s a covered platform for yoga and another right on the beach for meditation. The day began with sunrise yoga “above the rooftops”, looking out towards the palm trees. Meditation and breathing exercises at sunset, with the sound of the sea, brought the day to a close. The yoga and meditation teachers are knowledgeable.

The hotel needs renovating, but it is in a very good location and the staff do everything they can to help.

All the staff are great.

The Ayurvedic treatments did me a lot of good, but because of my irritable bowel syndrome, the food didn't agree with me.

The food was very monotonous and not very tasty.

The hotel is in a very beautiful location right by the beach.

Everything was very good. I often had spiders and cockroaches in my room. The doctors were very friendly. The new doctor was very committed.

Everyone at the hotel made a real effort and was helpful.

Every now and then, dishes were repeated or very similar, especially at lunchtime.

The pool was often a bit dirty.